News archive: NASA Langley Research Center | Airframer

Following these successful engine runs, the X-59 will be evaluated for electromagnetic interference effects, simulated in-flight failure modes and validation of the emergency power system.

10 October

ReleaseNASA awards Aerospace Research, Technology, and Simulations Contract

13 August

ReleaseNew GTL breakthrough composite tubing achieves liquid hydrogen flow in two seconds

7 August

ReleaseElectra’s eSTOL Goldfinch is first piloted electric aircraft to fly at NASA’s Langley Research Center

24 June

ReleasemagniX launches revolutionary battery product

18 January

Fresh out of Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.

NASA reveals the X-59 noise-reduction X-Plane

Years of research, development and production of this one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft should reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.

25 July

ReleaseNASA and GE Aerospace unveil hybrid electric aircraft paint scheme

20 June

ReleaseSpirit AeroSystems moving forward with first phase of NASA Sustainable Flight National Partnership

28 June

ReleaseToray supplies NASA HiCAM with thermoset and thermoplastic prepeg technologies to enable increase in airframer manufacturing rates

4 May

An illustration of an advanced subsonic aircraft with an Electrified Aircraft Propulsion system. Photo: NASA.

AeroTEC to build demonstrator for NASA's electric project

Through magniX the NASA program aims to demonstrate electric propulsion technology to power a hybrid De Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft, with first flight planned for 2025.

11 February

ReleaseNASA's X-59 calls on Texas for key testing

3 February

ReleaseGE Aviation to partner with Boeing on hybrid electric flight test demonstration program

25 November

A view of the X-59 being supported by ground supports in preparation for installation of the landing gear and other hardware required for structural testing.

Supersonic X-59 enters final assembly phase

Removed from its jig, the X-59 is ready for final assembly including the first power-on of the aircraft to test its internal systems. The first flight is planned for 2022.

27 October

ReleaseGE Aviation to develop new compact engine core with NASA HyTEC award

7 October

NASA illustration of an advanced subsonic aircraft with an Electrified Aircraft Propulsion system.

NASA selects EPFD partners as it aims for 2035

NASA has chosen GE Aviation and MagniX as partners to support its electric powertrain flight demonstration. Each company will be awarded a share of $253.4 million for the work over the next five years.

1 October

ReleaseGE Aviation selected by NASA for hybrid electric technology demonstrator

29 September

During the testing the X-59 will fly at supersonic speeds over communities as part of the low boom flight demonstration. NASA will then gather community feedback to the noise of the quiet supersonic flight.

X-59 prepares for quiet supersonic flight testing

The Lockheed Martin X-59's nose design should allow for quiet supersonic flight, turning the usual sonic boom into a quiet sonic thump. The aircraft will be tested over residential areas and noise feedback will be collected.

8 September

ReleaseNASA completes tests of X-59 eXternal Vision System

3 August

ReleaseX-59 resembles actual aircraft

28 July

Blown lift efficiently turns the airflow downwards for ultra-short takeoffs.

NASA joins the push to test blown-lift technology

Current computational methods can predict some limited blown lift flow fields in three dimensions, but NASA's involvement will enable the fast, trusted, low-order methods needed to rapidly evaluate design choices.

1 July

Stratospheric glider achieves controlled flight over New Mexico

The balloon launched HiDRON stratospheric glider achieved controlled flight following a release from a sounding balloon at altitudes above 98,000ft, higher than the record setting SR-71 Blackbird.

13 May

The X-59 is fitted with Quiet Supersonic Technologies (QueSST).

NASA's quiet supersonic research aircraft could fly in 2022

Innovative features on top of the X-59 wing should re-shape the shock wave pattern, substantially reducing the sonic boom to more of a sonic "thump" when it reaches the ground. Collins is onboard for the avionics.

18 March

ReleaseHermeus teams with NASA on development of the fastest commercial aircraft

18 March

The CRM-QHL sits on the test section of NASA Langley’s 14x22 Subsonic Tunnel. Researchers used both sound-dampening methods and an array of microphones to test the noise emitted from the wing.

Langley targets the leading-edge for noise reduction

NASA built a 10%-scale version of the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) to evaluate aircraft enhancements including low-noise slats, such as those constructed out of shape-memory alloys.

9 February

ReleaseAerion Supersonic expands partnership with NASA via new space act agreement to advance high mach point-to-point travel

14 December

ReleaseNASA's Supersonic X-59 assembly team marks wing milestone

13 November

ReleaseX-59 assembly presses on

4 November

Wind tunnel tests of the propeller designs are under way.

Props for first all-electric X-plane face the tunnel

The X-57 will be powered by twelve electric high-lift motors with propeller blades that fold away during cruise, emerging again for the landing phase. Wind tunnel testing has begun.

29 October

The cockpit of the X-59 at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale.

X-59 assembly progresses despite pandemic challenges

Lockheed Martin is assembling the experimental aircraft for NASA in anticipation of its first flight some time in mid-2022, and is now turning its attention to the cockpit space.

17 September

ReleaseNASA marks continued progress on X-59

9 September

The F414-GE-100 engine, which will power NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology X-plane (QueSST), is unboxed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. (Photo: NASA Photo / Ken Ulbrich)

ReleaseFinding ways to faster flight

17 January

ReleaseX-59 construction reaches halfway point

16 December

ReleaseDLR and NASA acknowledge students' award-winning aircraft concepts at a joint symposium at Langley Research Center

4 April

ReleaseUniversity research teams to study potential aeronautical innovations

26 January

The Airframer Bulletin

ReleaseNorth Wind Engineering powers NASA's new Flight Dynamics Research Facility

ReleaseNASA opens new Flight Dynamics Research Facility in Virginia

ReleaseCranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) unveils ST-5 ‘Stingray’ multi-role long-endurance drone and signs MoU with National Oceanography Centre to enter into a strategic collaboration

ReleaseLatimer Aerospace secures patents for Omni Turbine engine to lead hypersonic revolution in aerospace and defense

ReleaseSpokane-Coeur d’Alene Aerospace Tech Hub announces over $50M in funding

ReleaseGE Aerospace, Boeing and NASA to study performance of installed Open Fan engine design for future of more efficient flight

ReleaseGE Aerospace and NASA partnering on flight tests to accelerate industry’s understanding of contrails